405 sqkm of forest land under encroachment in Odisha, over 50% in Nabarangpur: Govt data

Cuttack: A total of 405.08 square kilometres of forest land in Odisha is currently under encroachment, according to a govt data submitted before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).The govt submitted the data in response to an order issued by the NGT on April 19, 2024. The NGT had suo motu taken up the issue following reports of 7,506 square kilometres of forest land across the country under encroachment, which is five times Delhi’s geographical area.

Data provided along with an affidavit by Debidutta Biswal, principal chief conservator of forests, Odisha, showed Nabarangpur district alone accounts for 236.68 sqkm of encroachment. This is 58.42 % of the encroached forest land in Odisha. The total forest land in the state is 52,155.95 sqkm. Data revealed forest land encroachment in the southern districts of Rayagada (16.03 sqkm), Koraput (12.82 sqkm), Malkangiri (23.28 sqkm), Kalahandi (23.28 sqkm), Gajapati (4.11 sqkm) and Ganjam (10.01 sqkm). Bhadrak district has no encroachment on its entire 77.80 sqkm of forest land. As for the action taken, the affidavit submitted on July 22 said that “encroachment case has been booked.” While seeking information from states and UTs, the NGT said that more than 7,500 sqkm of forest area out of 7,75,288 sqkm across the country has been encroached upon but no action has been taken.“The issue is very serious and if the factum that no action has been taken by the authorities is correct, that would make the matter more serious, requiring immediate attention and action,” the NGT had observed then.

3 deadly attacks by encroachers on forest employees in a year at Chhattisgarh tiger reserve

In Chhattisgarh's Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, forest employees faced multiple assaults by encroachers, resulting in significant forest loss. Recent satellite imagery showed a 20% reduction in forest cover since 2006. Arrests were made, and efforts to prevent further illegal claims on forest land continue. Police are investigating with phone records and data to resolve these issues.

68 schools with 3,000 students operating on forest land without clearance: Assam to NGT

The Assam forest department informed the National Green Tribunal about 68 schools operating without clearance in the Charduar Reserve Forest and Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary, affecting 3,000 students. Immediate eviction would harm the children's education. Authorities are developing a resettlement plan to address the encroachment and ensure proper rehabilitation of affected families by September 2024.

Demolition of encroached compound wall creates political controversy

Revenue department officials demolished the compound wall of a house belonging to ex-serviceman P Venku Naidu in Dhannanapeta village, Vizianagaram district, stating it was built on government land. YSRCP leaders claimed the TDP government was responsible, while Naidu protested, demanding the removal of all illegal constructions in the village.